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Websleuths News

Join Websleuths Radio for the final discussion of THE KILLING SEASON
with Josh Zemam, Rachel Mills and special guests including Bob Kolker author of Lost Girls

What IF...we are looking at a serial killing? Specifically...the killings taking place from 1968-84?

I just researched all the places they found those bodies and the similarities of the cases: Females, 17-24yo, 3+ had left bar area in Madison, most found in wooded areas, all with ties to UW, except 1...all found within 14 miles of Madison.

Sound familiar?
Kelly fits into the category above in several ways.

Might not be so farfetched actually. If the perp were a younger student back in 68...he would be in his mid/late 50s now. (Certainly not too old for a serial killer.)

It would also mean this investigation would have to be meticulously done if it is at all possible they could be related. I would think they would have to take everything into account. It might explain a lot of why this was handled with extra caution and under the huge umbrella of the different agencies.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

I just through the serial murders out there as a possibility - my guess would be more as a copycat, and not necessarily the same guy.

The other similarity I see is the Dierdre Harm case. (See this same forum discussion.) Dierdre disappeared after a night of drinking in downtown Wisconsin Rapids (about 1 1/2 hours north of Madison). Her body was found months later in a secluded, wooded area. No suspects have been found, but police do have a sketch of a person of interest.

If the perp were a young student back then...20 years could be spent raising a family, creating a bonified career, and becoming an outstanding member of the community. He could be a civic leader, a professor, a wealthy land developer, a teacher, a preacher, or even a dog catcher.

Maybe there wasn't a 20 year cooling off period. The perp could have moved during that time and continued elsewhere. (The last known killing in '84 was far north of the rest and out his comfort zone which I thought was quite different.)

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

The similarities I found in all the cases: Females, 17-24yo, 6+ had left bar area in Madison, most found in wooded areas, all with ties to UW, except 2...all found within 14 miles of Madison. 5 happened in early July and 5 in late spring. Out of all of those, 4 had been stabbed, no cod on 3, 1 blunt instrument,1 burned. Sarah was shot, but found near Mineral Point Road.

Here is what the coroner said in 1999:
Deputy Coroner David Scullion gave an interview to the Portage County Gazette in which he said, “I personally feel there are several similarities. The patterns are wooded areas, off the road aways in concealed area(s).”

It is also interesting to note that each victim was young, wore her hair long and parted it in the same manner -- eerily reminiscent of Ted Bundy’s victims -- and all of the victims were found within a short distance of Madison. In addition, they were all somehow associated with the University of Wisconsin either through classes, employment or living at a campus residence.

It’s not always clear that the murders have really stopped and the killer is not just in some cooling-off period or is perhaps disposing of the victims in a way that their remains will not be found. What is probably called for is a an additional two-pronged investigation to determine from missing persons’ reports whether the killer may still be active and covering up the evidence of his crimes and, if he is not determined to be active, what may account for the murders ending in November of 1984. http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_k...ison_wi/4.html
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I would say 3 full days on a crime scene going over every single inch of the grounds and soil would be expected. They already said it was multi-jurisdictional. They pulled out all the stops on this one with major forensic teams.

I have even found a suspect for them to take a serious look at. Remember, I said he could be mid/late 50s, raising a family, creating a bonified career, and becoming an outstanding member of the community. This person would have access, be in a trusted position, plus could have a motive related to the college. No one would have suspected him.

Originally Posted by cheko1

Suddenly Searching,
You can also look at how many college students 'males' that have suddenly drowned after a night of partying & leaving a bar in Wi.
It is very scarey to say the least.

This was the first mention I had heard of about the drownings.

Last edited by SeriouslySearching; 07-23-2007 at 08:55 PM.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

That entire area up there- Lake Michigan, Half Moon Lake, the Mississippi River, the Ohio, the Red Cedar - the list goes on and on. I still don't understand how LE can attribute them simply to intoxicated drowning accidents.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

And another that Calikid mentioned: I don't know if she's been discussed, but what about Becky Marie Marzo? She disappeared from Milwaukee December '03 after a night out with friends. Some of the details are different, and she's gone missing before. But she might fit the profile.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

Well, maybe Madison does have a problem. Here are some past unsolved murders/disappearances around Madison. Note that I referenced the last page of the article, since it mentions theories.

Christine Rothschild Madison stabbed 1968 age 18

Debra Bennett Madison (14 m) charred remains 1969 age 20

Julie Ann Hall Madison blunt trama (head) 1978 age 18

Julie Speerschneider Madison decomposed 1979 age 20

Susan LeMahieu Madison stabbed 1980 age 24

Shirley Stewart Madison decomposed 1981 age 17

Donna Mraz Madison stabbed 1982 age 19

Janet M. Raasch Madison (60m) decomposed 1984 age 20

"It is also interesting to note that each victim was young, wore her hair long and parted it in the same manner -- eerily reminiscent of Ted Bundy’s victims -- and all of the victims were found within a short distance of Madison. In addition, they were all somehow associated with the University of Wisconsin either through classes, employment or living at a campus residence."http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_k...ison_wi/4.html

This was posted earlier, but I decided to include it because it was lined out nicely. Thanks, Trino!

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.

"WE SEEK FOR THE TRUTH. WE SEEK JUSTICE.
THE COURTS REQUIRE IT. THE VICTIMS CRY FOR IT
AND GOD DEMANDS IT!"
A quote spray painted on the wall by search
and rescue workers, Team 5, at the OKC Bombing site 4-19-1995.